Page:Bengal Celebrities.djvu/103

 f »°< } "Calcutta Journal of Medicine" for the propagation of his new faith. , From 1869, in the columns of his journal, he began to advocate the establishment of a national science institution in Bengal. For several years he began to push forward the movement with no immediate prospect of success, when in 1870 he found an energetic supporter in Sir Richard Temple, the then Lieutenant Governor. Aided by Sir Richard Temple and a number of Indian gentlemen, who now began to look on the project favourably. Dr. Sircar was able to* establish the Association for the Advancement of Science. Though a busy practitioner, he bestowed unremitting care and industry on the Association for more than a quarter of a century and the moderate amount of success which the Association has achieved is mainly due to his efforts. Though maiuly a pioneer of scientific education, he did much useful work for his country as a prominent citizen and learned man. In 1870 he was made a Fellow of the Calcutta University and for 10 years remained a member of the Syndicate. He was for four years President of the Faculty of Arts, He was one of the moat prominent members of the Asiatic Society of Bengal and represented it on the Board of Trustees of the Indian Museum. In 1808 he received the Honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the Calcutta University. In 1883 he was made a CLE. by the Government and four years later, was appointed Sheriff of Calcutta. Ha was also a msraber of the Bengal Legislative Council from 1887 to 1893, wh ere, as well as in the Calcutta Corporation, he was conspicu- ous for his eloquence, good sense and moderation. It would be difficult to find such an all-round cultured man. Though eminent in the domain of medicine, there was nothing of the narrow specialist in him. For Ireadth of culture and amplitude of vision he should be accorded a high place among the many gifted men whom Bengal pmduced during the last century.